Meags's Reviews > Blackwater

4 Stars

Blackwater is a supernaturally-tinged queer YA graphic novel (originally a webcomic), featuring the developing romance between one boy who can see ghosts and one who gets turned into a werewolf.

I liked the opposites-attract vibes between chronically ill outcast Eli and track star turned werewolf Tony. They may have been polar opposites in terms of high school popularity, but I liked how they bonded over their shared experience with their absentee single parents. Both boys felt pretty alone in the world, but finding each other, and the new friends they make along the way, went a long way in healing their hurts and ongoing feelings of isolation.

The supernatural stuff was good fun. I especially liked how the ghost elements tied into the unfolding werewolf plot. It was well told and highly entertaining for it.

Also, a quick shout-out to goth sidekick Marcia. This chick was all the things—smart, compassionate, accepting, ballsy, and funny as hell. She added so much to this little story, like only the best secondary characters can.

The great representation was probably my favourite thing about this story though. Beyond the queer romance, we also got some genuine chronic illness rep and unexpected but very welcomed transgender rep. I honestly knew little about this before going in, besides it being a queer webcomic about werewolves, so everything beyond that fact was a very satisfying addition to the storytelling IMO.